Title: Eternally Missed
Category: TV Shows » Once Upon A Time
Author: Alwaysbringback-up
Language: English, Rating: Rated: T (for language)
Genre: Suspense/General

Love Makes Me

Pairing: SwanQueen

Disclaimer: I don't own any part of the OUAT universe. All characters belong to the show's creators. I promise that my writing is done purely for recreational purposes only. No ill harm is intended.

A/N: So, here's the next chapter. I do believe that some happiness was requested by many of those that reviewed the last chapter. So I thought that this was a good time for some fluff. I hope you really enjoy this one guys!

Thank you so much for your continued support of this story. It truly means a lot to me! This one's for all of you! :)


Arendelle: Two days later

It is hard not to be crushed by the weight of despair. It is the morning of the fifth day, and there is still no sign of the blonde. Despite the feeling of hopelessness lingering between the two of them, Thomas and Regina agreed not to leave their post on the clearing's hilltop. There's still a chance that Emma will come. And should she show up, she should not be left alone.

The smell of grass and flowers is heavy in the air. Thomas finds the smell soothing, as he takes in several ravenous breaths. He stands watch as the transition begins from deepest darkness to gray, and finally to the beautiful orange light of morning. He can't help but watch in stunned fascination as the first slivers of orange and red peek their way through the branches of the trees to the east of the clearing. The beauty is utterly breathtaking, as he watches the sun paint the sky in a way that will never be fully replicated. Thomas feels a faint shiver work its way up his spine, as the cold from the night lingers in the air. And yet, he is able to feel the sun on his face, instantly warming him. In another hour, fog fills the clearing. Warm moisture from the nearby stream is mixing with the cool air, forming weightless clouds all around the clearing. The view is even more stunning now.

With a sigh, Thomas glances over to Regina's slumbering form. He's not sure when exactly that the brunette had fallen asleep during the night, but it was deservedly so. The brunette had spent every minute of the past two days anxiously waiting. He could tell that she was close to going out of her mind with worry and anguish.

When Thomas turns to face the woods once more, he's in for a shock. He gasps as he senses movement in the heavy fog. Thomas' hand instinctively goes to the blade at his side. His eyes struggle to make out the obscured figure in the cloud, but he cannot see a face, or the signature deep red jacket that Emma was wearing last. Thomas steps forward. There is the distinctive sound of metal on metal as he draws the blade from its confines.

Thomas suddenly jerks as he feels a hand on his arm. Regina's eyes are still clouded with sleep, but she's alert enough to know that something is happening.

"Wait," she orders in a raspy voice indicative of disuse. Thomas nods and slides the sword back into its sheathe. Slowly Regina stands, her legs wobbling under her for a brief moment as she stands. She finds herself holding her breath as her eyes find the figure in the fog. They're moving much more slowly than is typical. With a pang Regina realizes what must be slowing them down. They're hurt. The figure is limping heavily, and is struggling with each step.

"It's Emma," Regina mutters in recognition. "It has to be!"

"Regina!" Thomas hisses in warning as she rushes forwards, but the brunette doesn't listen. She knows in her heart who it is.

She makes her way into the fog, her breathing growing heavy, as she breaks out into a jog. She keeps her mind focused on the magic coursing through her as she continues forwards, just in case it becomes a necessity. But a large part of her knows that it's Emma out here in the fog.

Regina finds herself getting lost in the fog, as visibility suddenly fades to zero. In time, she can hardly see her hand in front of her face.

But after what seems like an eternity, Regina finally breaks out of the cloud and comes face to face with the figure. She stumbles back momentarily, before she catches herself.

"Emma?" Regina's voice breaks, as she lays eyes on a woman she feared that she would never see again. Emma jacket is noticeably absent. The color of the tunic she wears is black. It's made of fine leather. With a pang, Regina realizes that the blonde must have taken it off of a member of the Guard. The blonde arms are bare, and Regina can't help but think that the blonde must be freezing. Because even though the sun is out, it is still fairly cold.

"Hi," Emma offers her a sheepish smile. "Sorry I'm a little late." Emma tries to take a step towards the brunette, only to stumble.

"Oh," Regina exhales as she rushes forwards, colliding with the blonde. With a shuddering breath she catches the blonde under her arms, just as she feels the younger woman's legs give out. Emma allows her eyes to flutter close as she feels the brunette's arms wrap protectively around her. The blonde knows that the brunette's hold is the keeping her from falling to the ground completely. "I was starting to think you were never coming."

"I made a promise, didn't I?" Emma whispers in Regina's ear. Regina can't stop herself from shivering as the blonde's warm breath tickles the skin beneath the brunette's ear.

The blonde is filthy. Much of her face and neck is covered in dirt. But Regina couldn't possibly care less. Emma is alive, and that is the only thing that matters.

"What took you so long?" Regina finally questions, as she maintains the embrace.

"Well," Emma laughs, "Apparently I need to work on my horseback riding. I umm…I got knocked off of my horse." That explains almost everything, right down to Emma's limp.

"So you're not as good in the saddle, as you thought you were?" Regina teases. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Oh, ho," Emma laughs. Emma suddenly husks in Regina's ear. "I don't suppose you're willing to help me with that, are you?"

Regina will never admit how much that singular statement, spoken in the way Emma murmurs it, turns her on. But by the time, that she registers what has been said, she feels a slight burn in her stomach. She's also acutely aware of how Emma's body is still tightly pressed against hers from the blonde's hips all the way up to her shoulders.

"We'll work on it," Regina promises. She smiles as Emma pulls back to search her eyes.

"Yeah?" Emma's eyes are vividly bright in the morning sun. They're the most stunning shade of green that Regina has ever seen.

"Yeah," Regina promises.

"Good, cause I…" Emma's words are abruptly cut off, as Regina's mouth swallows them. Emma's breath hitches at the sudden assault. She'd almost resigned herself to pining after the woman kissing her. Regina's hands are suddenly extricating themselves from under Emma's sides. The brunette slides them up over Emma's chest and shoulders. Emma feels the brunette's hands linger there for a moment, applying considerable pressure as the brunette claims Emma's lips for her own. Emma had considered herself fortunate just to be kissed by the brunette once, and now Regina was doing it again. Emma feels herself moan into the kiss, as the brunette's hands finally slide into her hair to tangle in the long, blonde tresses.

Regina breathes in deeply, relishing in the perfect sensation of Emma's soft lips on hers. She's never experienced anything quite so spectacular. She realizes now that she was a fool to think that she could possibly find this with anyone else. It's Emma; it's always been Emma.

Regina moans into the kiss as Emma sucks her bottom lip between her teeth. Regina feels them scrape against the tissue there, in a spike of pain that's quite pleasurable. Emma releases Regina's bottom lip, and Regina returns the favor, giving Emma's lip a similar treatment.

There's such lingering warmth in the kiss. It seems to take root in the pit of both of their stomachs and spreads outward.

There is a small sense of mourning as they both run out of oxygen and the kiss breaks. As their eyes meet after the kiss, time seems to stop altogether.

"Wow," Emma says breathlessly, as she reaches up to caress Regina's face with a loving touch. "I always knew that I felt something for you, but I had no idea."

"Emma," Regina isn't even sure what to say. How is it even possible for the blonde to feel anything without her heart? Regina isn't sure. All Regina knows is that it feels right. Every time she looks into the blonde's eyes it feels like coming home…like it's where she's meant to be.

Regina feels a pang of sadness as Emma's brows arch in confusion. "What is it, Regina?" Emma finally asks. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No," Regina shakes her head. "Of course not." Regina sighs, not sure how to voice her fears to the blonde. "Let's go home, Emma," Regina smiles. Emma nods, her hand falling away from Regina's cheek. However, before the blonde can take so much as a limping step, Regina has scooped up the blonde's hand in hers, weaving their fingers together.

"Shit," The blonde cusses as she grabs at her side. Emma takes a step forwards, and teeters. Regina has to exercise considerable control just to keep the both of them from falling over.

"What hip is it?" Regina asks quietly. "The one you landed on? The one that's hurting you?"

"Left," Emma replies. Regina nods and drops Emma's hand. The blonde watches in fascination as Regina kneels down in front of her and carefully lifts up her shirt. Emma can see the discoloration of the skin creeping its way up her side. Emma can't stop the gasp, or the shiver that takes over her body as Regina's fingers trace the outline of the bruise. The brunette's touch is so warm and persistent against Emma's skin, that it feels like fire. Emma squeezes her eyes shut as Regina presses her hand against the traumatized muscles and her hipbone. Emma can scarcely believe it when the pain is suddenly lifted. She's in an even more dramatic state of disbelief when she opens her eyes to find Regina pressing a gentle lingering kiss to the skin above her hipbone. Emma feels the tingling fire, and her jaw falls open in shock at the sheer amount of tenderness the brunette has just displayed.

Slowly, Regina gets to her feet.

Emma can't breathe as she feels the brunette's hands slide up her body as she straightens.

Emma's jaw is still open in bewilderment as Regina's eyes find her own once more.

"Hey," Emma murmurs with a soft smile.

"Hi," Regina's eyes shine brightly as she offers a smile in return. "All better?"

The best response that the blonde can manage is to take the brunette's lips passionately with hers. The force behind it is desperate and bruising. And yet it is languid and fluid. Somehow, the kiss seems to take on a life of its own, as both women pour everything into the kiss. Regina gasps as she feels a bolt of electricity surge into her from Emma's hands. The blonde suddenly pulls back with a sheepish, "Sorry."

"Not that I wouldn't mind spending all day kissing you," Regina says with twinkling brown eyes, "But Henry is waiting."

"Oh," Emma gasps. "Right. How could I have forgotten?" Regina smiles as this time it is the blonde that plucks her hand from the air, and starts dragging her along towards the portal.

When they make it to the top of the hill, Thomas is waiting for them with a look of amusement on his face.

"I was starting to wonder if you two were ever going to come out of the fog," he says with a knowing smile. "What were you two doing in there, anyway?"

"Shut up," is all Emma manages to say before bursting out in laughter. "You should know that a woman doesn't kiss and tell."


When Emma and Regina step through the portal, everything is quiet in the large house. Emma sighs and looks around, noting how they're alone.

"I guess we must have missed him," Emma says with a sad smile. "He must be at school."

"It is seven-thirty," Regina confirms.

Emma lets out a sigh and drops her hand.

"Emma," Regina tries sympathetically. "I know how much you miss him. Why don't we head over to the school, and say hello." Emma just stares at the floor for a long moment. "I…I can't even believe I'm saying this," Regina says aloud, "But maybe we can pull him out of school for the day, and spend some time together."

"You'd do that?" Emma sounds surprised.

"Well, not normally no," Regina replies with a gentle smile, "But you almost died and… I'm sure there's nothing that you want more than to spend some time with our son."

Regina lets out a gasp as Emma pulls her into a crushing hug. Regina just sighs in contented happiness and breathes the blonde in for a moment.

"You're the best, Regina," Emma murmurs softly, "I honestly don't know how I'm ever going to repay you."

"Mom?" the voice has the two women springing apart.

"Henry?"

Regina's eyes dart to Emma's face, and the expression that is suddenly on the blonde's face is priceless. It warms her heart to see so much love in Emma's eyes. The blonde lets out a laugh as she rushes forwards and wraps her arms around Henry, lifting him up in the air and spinning him around.

"Mom!" Henry tries to sound affronted, but soon enough, joins in the laughter. Regina notices with a sense of sadness that Emma is crying now. "You're okay?" he asks the blonde as she sets him down.

"Yeah, Henry," Emma says as she wipes her tears away. "I'm okay."

"Then why are you crying?" he asks confusedly.

"It's hard to explain," Emma says as she meets his eyes, "But surely you understand how feeling so much happiness at once, can sometimes make you cry, right?"

"Yeah," he nods, "I guess so."

"It's just… there was a time when I thought that I might not see you again," Emma confesses. "But I'm so happy that I was wrong." Emma says as she wraps her arms around him once more. "I love you, Henry."

"I love you too, Mom," Henry says thickly.

"Regina?" Emma says as she looks up to meet the brunette's misting eyes.

"I'm sorry," Regina murmurs softly, "I don't mean to intrude… I'll just."

"Uh uh," Emma says as she releases her hold on Henry. "Come on, Regina. How about you come over here and give Henry and I a big hug? Share in the love."

"Oh, no…I really shouldn't," Regina shakes her head, but her lips are already turned upwards in a smile.

"Oh, come on," Emma says with a certain warmth in her eyes, "You know you want to join in this love fest."

"On the contrary," Regina starts, but she knows there's little point in resisting. "I don't do love fests."

"Oh come on, Mom," Henry whines. "You know you want to." Henry turns to Emma. "What do you think, Mom?"

"I say we get her," Emma says with a wink. "Let's call it: Operation hold your mother down and make her squirm until she begs for mercy."

Regina laughs then. She can't hold back the laughter, and she realizes with a pang of surprise that she doesn't want to.

"I don't know," Henry says then, looking deep in thought, "That seems a little long, don't you think?"

"Are you two goofballs going to just stand there all day plotting, or are you going to do something about it?" Regina taunts. Regina watches with building amusement as Emma turns to Henry, and Henry turns to face Emma.

"Ready?" Emma asks Henry, with a megawatt smile.

"Ready!" Henry confirms as he reaches out to shake Emma's outstretched hand. Then they both turn to look at Regina, and start running for her at the exact same time.

Of course Regina realizes that she could just puff away in the blink of an eye, and leave Emma and Henry standing there wondering where on earth it is she's gone to. But she doesn't want to go anywhere. In fact, she wouldn't trade where she was now for the entire world, because her heart suddenly feels lighter than it has in years.

Regina lets out a cry as Emma careens into her first, effectively executing a perfect take down in which she pins Regina's hands over her head, as her lips attack her neck in slobbering kisses that have Regina laughing so hard it hurts. She feels the blonde's fingers wiggling at her sides, tickling her in ways that has laughter bubbling up in her throat. Regina lets out a groan as Henry jumps on top of her and wraps his arms around her sides.

"EMMA!" Regina manages to cry out between hysterical laughter.

"Admit it," Emma says as she refuses to give up the attack. "Admit that you secretly love this."

"I will not!" Regina refuses her. But her vision is suddenly getting spotty from lack of oxygen. She can't seem to stop laughing. A sudden warmth has started to creep into her very soul, and it is taking hold.

Regina's eyes find Emma's brilliant green orbs, and she finds something there that makes her sure that the blonde does feel something…something stronger than either of them ever realized until Henry had come up with the page from the Storybook.

"You love us," Emma husks in her ear. "We know it. Just admit it."

"I will never surrender!" Regina cries out. "Never!"

"Very well," Emma says as she redoubles her efforts, "You leave me no choice."

"Okay…Okay!" Regina screams. "I love it. I love every second of it!"

Regina feels a slight sense of mourning as Emma's hands fall away from her sides, but just as quickly, the blonde is smiling at her with adoration and her heart feels full once more.

Henry lets out a laugh as he gives Emma a high five.

"I knew we could do it!" Henry says with a knowing smile.

"Hey, kiddo," Emma says as she helps him up off of his mother, and then Emma slowly and carefully helps Regina to her feet. "You guys want to go get something to eat?"

"Sure!" Henry exclaims happily. "Can we invite Grandma and Grandpa?"

Regina's breathing is still heavy as Emma carefully brushes the brunette off, and helps her straighten her clothes. Her touch is tender and gentle as reaches up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Regina's ear.

"There," Emma smiles. She offers the brunette a wide smile, as she looks into brunette eyes, which are just as full of love as her own.

"Moms?" Henry says as he turns around to see the way they're looking at each other. The smile on his face is suddenly so wide it can barely be contained by his face. "I'm calling Grams and am telling them to meet us there." He says as he makes an executive decision.


A/N: That seemed like a good place to end the chapter. I do have the next several chapters written, so it shouldn't be terribly long till I update. But I do have to do some editing though, which takes time.

Please review and let me know what you think? Fuel for the fire is always good!